Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park: What to Know + Best Stops
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Planning the drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park was one of the highlights of my 10-Day SLC and Utah National Parks road trip, and honestly, that entire adventure was the time of my life! I ended up doing all of Utah’s Mighty 5 on that trip, and while Zion is the most visited of the five (with Arches coming in right behind it), Bryce Canyon completely surprised me. It might have been my favorite… which feels bold to say because choosing between them is nearly impossible.
The cool thing about going from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is how different they feel, even though they’re only about two hours apart. Zion has those towering canyon walls and bucket-list hikes, while Bryce feels almost otherworldly with its hoodoos and sweeping amphitheater views.
In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how far Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is, how long the drive takes, what the road is like, and the best things to do in each, so you can plan your trip with confidence. And if you can swing visiting all five parks to decide your own favorite, I fully support that decision. It’s so worth it!
How Far is Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park?
If you’re driving from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park, the distance is about 72 to 85 miles, depending on the exact route you take. In normal conditions, the drive takes around 1.5 to 2 hours without stops, and that’s assuming you don’t pull over every five minutes for photos (which… you probably will).
The most common and scenic route is UT-9 → US-89 → UT-12.
You’ll leave Zion heading east on UT-9, drive through the famous Mount Carmel Tunnel, connect to US-89 north, and then hop on UT-12 straight into Bryce Canyon. It’s straightforward and easy to follow, and the scenery changes dramatically along the way!
Seasonal Considerations
While the drive is short, the weather can definitely impact it.
- Winter (especially December–February) can bring snow and icy roads, particularly as you gain elevation closer to Bryce Canyon.
- Bryce sits at about 8,000–9,000 feet, which is much higher than Zion, so temperatures are noticeably cooler.
- In summer and fall, the drive is typically smooth and easy.
Overall, the drive from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is quick, scenic, and very manageable, which is exactly why pairing these two parks together works so well on a Utah road trip.
Zion National Park
Best Things to Do in Zion National Park
As I mentioned, Zion National Park is easily the most visited of Utah’s Mighty 5, and once you’re there, it makes sense. The scale of it all feels massive! Towering canyon walls, dramatic viewpoints, and hikes that range from peaceful strolls to full-on adrenaline.
Here are the highlights I’d prioritize:
- Emerald Pools Trail – This is where we started, and it was the perfect intro hike. It’s about 3 miles round trip with waterfalls, greenery, and just enough elevation to feel like you did something without completely exhausting yourself. We were in and out in a little over an hour, which made it easy to add more stops later in the day.
- Angels Landing – One of the most iconic hikes in the entire national park system. It’s about 5 miles round trip with steep drop-offs and chain sections near the top. The views are incredible, but you do need a permit through a seasonal lottery system to hike beyond Scout Lookout. This is the only hike in Zion that currently requires a permit, so plan ahead if it’s on your list.
- The Narrows – This one takes you straight through the Virgin River and deep into the canyon. You’ll literally be walking in water for much of it, so water shoes and a walking stick are key. If you don’t have gear, you can rent everything you need in town. It’s more strenuous, but such a unique experience. We didn’t get to do this because of limited time, but it’s at the top of my list when we visit again!
- Big Bend – Not a hike, more of a scenic stop, but so worth pulling over. You get this incredible perspective looking up at Angels Landing from below, and it really shows just how massive Zion is.
- Canyon Overlook Trail – Just about a mile round trip, and such a beautiful sunset spot. We took our time up there and soaked it all in. If you want big views without committing to a long hike, this is a great option.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also book a UTV tour for a different way to explore the area outside the main canyon.
Where to Eat Around Zion National Park
And when it comes to food, start your mornings at Feellove Coffee—their lemon white mocha is unreal—and Deep Creek Coffee Co is another great spot to fuel up. After a long hike, Zion Canyon Brew Pub, just south of the entrance, is such a fun place to hang out with burgers, wings, and a beer garden patio.
Oscar’s Cafe is also a solid choice any time of day, and Kathy’s carrot cake is absolutely worth ordering.
Getting Around Zion National Park
The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, but if you’re visiting multiple parks on your Utah trip (or even within the next year), grab the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass for $80. It pays for itself quickly.
Zion actually makes getting around really easy thanks to its free shuttle system.
There are two shuttle routes:
- One runs through Springdale, the town just outside the park, and drops you at the pedestrian entrance.
- The second is the park shuttle, which runs along Zion Canyon Scenic Drive and stops at all the major trailheads, viewpoints, and Zion Lodge.
For most of the year, you can’t drive your personal vehicle through the main canyon; you’ll use the shuttle instead. It’s honestly pretty convenient and saves you from worrying about parking.
Visiting Multiple National Parks?
If you’re exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon, or more parks on your trip, the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass is 100% worth it. It costs $80 and covers entrance fees to all U.S. National Parks for an entire year. You’ll break even after just a few parks.
Get the National Parks Pass HereWhere to Stay in Zion National Park
If you want to be close to the action, stay in Springdale. It’s right outside the entrance and makes early mornings way easier, especially if you’re trying to beat the crowds.
On my trip, we split our stay between Holiday Inn Express St. George North – Zion and Holiday Inn Express Springdale National Park Area (now rebranded to Hyatt Place Springdale – Zion National Park).
On busy national park trips, I love staying somewhere that includes a continental or grab-and-go breakfast. When you’re waking up early for hikes, having something quick to grab (and maybe toss in your backpack) makes the whole morning go more smoothly!
Springdale has several hotel options, but they book up fast, especially during peak seasons. If you’re planning your Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park road trip during spring, summer, or fall, definitely reserve in advance!
Check all available options for your dates here.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Best Things to Do in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its hoodoos—those tall, thin rock spires you’ve definitely seen in photos—and Bryce has the highest concentration of hoodoos in the world. Seeing them in person feels completely surreal.
One of the best things about Bryce is that it works for every type of traveler. You can hike deep into the amphitheater or simply drive to viewpoints and take short walks to soak it all in! Here were some of my favorite stops:
- Sunrise Point – One of the most popular viewpoints in the park and especially beautiful in the early morning when the light hits the hoodoos in warm tones. It’s an easy walk from the parking area and also connects to the Rim Trail if you want to continue exploring.
- Navajo Loop Trail – One of Bryce’s most popular hikes and a must if you want to get up close to the hoodoos. This 1.5-mile loop starts at Sunset Point and is considered moderate, typically taking 1–2 hours to complete. Along the way, you’ll pass famous formations like Thor’s Hammer, Wall Street, and Twin Bridges. If you’re up for more, you can combine it with Queen’s Garden for a 2.5-mile route or tackle the full Navajo/Peekaboo Loop at 4.5 miles.
- Sunset Point – A dramatic viewpoint and the starting point for the Navajo Loop Trail. The changing light here gives the hoodoos a completely different look compared to sunrise.
- Inspiration Point – One of the best places to take in the scale of the Bryce Amphitheater. The viewpoint sits at around 8,000 feet in elevation, and even though the walk is short, the perspective feels expansive.
- Bryce Point – Known for its wide, panoramic views that showcase just how massive and unique this landscape really is.
If you’re limited on time, you can drive to most of these viewpoints with minimal walking. If you have extra time, hiking sections of the Rim Trail (the full trail is 11 miles) that connect them allows you to see even more of the amphitheater from different angles.
There are also horseback riding trails if you want a different perspective inside the canyon.
Where to Eat Around Bryce Canyon National Park
After a long day exploring, IDK BBQ in Tropic has amazing brisket and mac and cheese. We also loved Bryce Canyon Inn Pizza Place—sometimes you just want carbs after a day at higher elevation.
And before heading out of town, we grabbed coffee at Bryce Canyon Coffee Co, which was the perfect quick stop before getting back on the road.
Scenic Drive + Getting Around Bryce
Unlike Zion, the Bryce Canyon shuttle is optional. You can absolutely drive yourself to trailheads and viewpoints, which is what we did since it wasn’t too crowded. The free shuttle runs about every 15 minutes if you’d rather not deal with parking.
The park’s scenic drive stretches about 38 miles round-trip and includes 13 viewpoints. If you want to hit them all, plan for at least three hours, especially if you’re stopping for photos and short walks.
Bryce also has free ranger-led programs, including full moon hikes and constellation tours. We did the constellation tour, and I was blown away. The sky was unbelievably clear without light pollution, and the Milky Way looked like it had been painted across the sky. If you want to do one of these programs, sign up at the Visitor Center early because spots are limited. Bring a blanket! You’ll want to lie back and just stare at the sky.
Where to Stay Near Bryce Canyon
To explore Bryce, you’ll most likely want to stay in Tropic, which is just outside the park. There aren’t a ton of accommodation options near Bryce Canyon, so booking in advance is important, especially during peak season.
We stayed at Bryce Valley Lodging and really liked it. It was only about 15 minutes from the park entrance, and it felt peaceful and tucked away while still being close to everything. We even had our own little canyon out back, which made it feel extra special.
Check all available options for your dates here.
How Many Days Do You Need in Zion and Bryce Canyon?
When we visited Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, we were in full road trip mode. We did 10 days in Utah and another 7 days in Arizona, so we were packing a lot into a short amount of time. Because of that, we had to be intentional. We skipped some of the longer hikes and focused on the highlights so we could experience as much as possible without completely exhausting ourselves.
We personally only had 1 1/2 days in each, and we did cram in a lot! But if you’re only visiting these two parks, I’d recommend 2–3 days in Zion and 2–3 days in Bryce Canyon. That gives you time for one or two bigger hikes, scenic viewpoints, and sunrise or sunset without feeling rushed.
Even with that amount of time, there will still be trails you don’t hike and viewpoints you wish you lingered at longer. Both parks reward slower travel, and they’re absolutely the kind of places you’ll want to come back to.
Are you ready to adventure from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park?!
Driving from Zion National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park is more than just a transfer between stops. It’s part of the adventure, and when you give both parks the time they deserve, it turns into one of the most memorable stretches of any Southwest road trip!
I hope this guide helps you plan your own experience between Zion and Bryce, whether you’re squeezing them into a bigger itinerary like we did or slowing down to really take it all in!
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other US blog posts:
Free Things to Do in Las Vegas
How to Spend 2 Days in Grand Teton National Park
10-Day Road Trip Through Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier
